§ Mr. R. MCNEILLasked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the proposal of the Kent Education Authority to establish wholesale and retail stores for the supply of stationery and school requisites; whether a public authority whose resources are derived from the rates has power to enter into competition with private traders and, if so, under what Act of Parliament; and whether it is the policy of the Government to encourage or to sanction such use of public money?
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§ Dr. ADDISONI am aware that the Kent County Council, acting as an education authority, have for some time purchased wholesale the necessary stationery and school requisities for the use of the schools under their control, and in this way have secured a considerable saving to the rates. Such action is within their legal powers under the Education Acts. I understand that proposals have recently been made to extend the system so as to enable the Council to furnish supplies in a similar manner to the schools of other education authorities. I am advised that such proposals would not be within the powers of the Council unless an arrangement for co-operation or combination with other authorities is made under Section 6 of the Education Act, 1918. I do not find that there is any proposal to establish retail stores as suggested.